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Parents walking down the aisle?

How did/are you incorporating your parents into the ceremony, as far as walking down the aisle goes? My dad is walking me down the aisle. Is it common to have someone escort our mother's down the aisle as well? His grandfather will be the only grandparent present.

Re: Parents walking down the aisle?

The parents are not normally part of the processional. The last person to be seated before the processional begins is the MOB, who is escorted by the person of her choice. (I had my son walk me to my seat in the front.) Then the processional begins.

If you want to include the mothers in the ceremony, you can present them both with a rose from each of you as a surprise. My officiant offered that idea. I've seen some girls have both their mother and father walk them down the aisle to give them away. I'm not that into that idea (I want to stay traditional with just my dad) but it nice.

Those of you who have been married, and not at a church where the side aisles are there for you, if your dad walked your mother down then walked back to escort you... did you arrange to have a side aisle in place or did he walk back up the main aisle??

@kk11145... I love that idea, but when did you present the roses to the moms? I feel like it might be akward to walk down the aisle with my bouquet and a rose for my mom, and then stop and give it to her?

Our order was my brothers each sat one of my step-moms, then our bridal party went, then our FG, then wife went with her parents, then I went with both of my parents.

I can't say I've paid a lot of attention to how my friends have done it, and most of us have "non-traditional" families. IE: step-parents, same sex parents, single parents. So the traditonal rules often get tossed out the window on this one.

I'm strongly considering this because even though it's an important day in our own lives, our mom's have been waiting for this day and deserve a little shout out for everything they have done for us from birth on. And surprising them and making them a part of your ceremony will make them feel so loved!

Oh, and although I haven't planned it out yet- I've seen the mother of the bride escorted down the aisle by a groomsmen (who then walked back on the side to then escort the bridesmaid) but she could also be escorted by a family member (depending on if you have a brother, uncle, grandfather or cousin to step in)

MOB with an escort of her choice - this is the musician's cue to begin the processional music. If FOB will be seating her, the processional music should start after he has returned back up the aisle. No need for a side aisle as long as the musician knows that Dad will be walking back to get you.

Processional:

Groom and best man walk to the ceremony area with the officiant

Gm and bm walk in pairs or the gm may walk first and stand with the groom.

MOH

FG and RB

Pause until aisle is clear. The moms will stand, which will cue the guests to stand.

Bride and her father

If the groom chooses to walk with both his parents, the BM may either walk behind them or he may escort the MOH.

If bride chooses to be escorted by both her parents, the MOG is the last person seated. If any of the parents/grandparents are single/widowed, they may choose an escort to walk with them.

MOB with an escort of her choice - this is the musician's cue to begin the processional music. If FOB will be seating her, the processional music should start after he has returned back up the aisle. No need for a side aisle as long as the musician knows that Dad will be walking back to get you.

Processional:

Groom and best man walk to the ceremony area with the officiant

Gm and bm walk in pairs or the gm may walk first and stand with the groom.

MOH

FG and RB

Pause until aisle is clear. The moms will stand, which will cue the guests to stand.

Bride and her father

If the groom chooses to walk with both his parents, the BM may either walk behind them or he may escort the MOH.

If bride chooses to be escorted by both her parents, the MOG is the last person seated. If any of the parents/grandparents are single/widowed, they may choose an escort to walk with them.

We incorporated our parents in a few ways. Before the processional started, but after the officiant asked guests to find their seats and turn off their phones, DH's grandparents walked out from the back and took their seats. Then DH walked both his parents to their seats. And then DH took his place at the front. Then the processional music started. Then wedding party. Then I was escorted out by both my parents.

During the ceremony, we included our parents in our vows. Instead of "I do's" we did "We do's" and had the last questions be for our parents...

Officiant: "Jenijoy and Groom, I ask of you both, do you [insert promise here]?"

Us: "We do."

[Repeat, repeat, repeat]

Officiant: "Jane and John, do you promise to support your daughter Jenijoy in her marriage to Groom, and promise to take Groom as a part of your family?"

My parents stood up and said, "We do."

Officiant: "MIL and FIL, do you promise to support your son Groom in his marriage to Jenijoy and promise to take Jenijoy as a part of your family?"